New structures but same old financial follies from councillors

The creation of 11 new super councils was supposed to herald the dawn of mature, coherent politics at local authority level. It was argued that giving the councils enhanced powers such as planning would bring democracy closer to the public.

The creation of 11 new super councils was supposed to herald the dawn of mature, coherent politics at local authority level. It was argued that giving the councils enhanced powers such as planning would bring democracy closer to the public.

But it appears that the vision in some of the councils is as myopic as ever. Tens of thousands of pounds have been spent by at least five of the councils on consultants to come up with new names for the merged authorities. That is likely to reinforce the cynical view of politics here or may even spark ratepayers' anger at the waste of money. Either way it is hardly the optimistic dawn we were promised and which we hoped against hope would arrive. Even at this late stage can our councillors at last up their game?